Mendis's 87 earns Sri Lanka consolation win, but Pakistan take T20I series 2-1
Representative image: yogendras31 / Pixabay
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets in Rawalpindi on October 13, 2026, as Kusal Mendis made 87 not out, but Pakistan won the T20I series 2-1.
What Happened
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final Twenty20 international at Rawalpindi on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, avoiding a series whitewash, but Pakistan took the three-match series 2-1. Batting first, Pakistan made 168 for 8, with captain Sahibzada Farhan scoring 76, while Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka took 3 for 21. Kusal Mendis then hit an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls as Sri Lanka reached the target of 169 with 17 balls to spare. Farhan was named player of the series for his 238 runs across the three matches.
Key Facts
- Third T20I, Rawalpindi, October 13, 2026: Sri Lanka won by eight wickets with 17 balls remaining.
- Pakistan 168/8 (Sahibzada Farhan 76; Dasun Shanaka 3/21); Sri Lanka chased 169 with Kusal Mendis unbeaten on 87 off 48.
- Pakistan won the series 2-1.
- In the second match on October 11, Pakistan scored 215/3, their highest T20I total at home, and won by 82 runs; Maaz Sadaqat made 96 off 51 balls.
- A crowd of 17,535 at the second match was reported as a record for the Rawalpindi venue.
- Player of the series: Sahibzada Farhan, 238 runs in three innings.
Why It Matters
The series showed both sides of Pakistan's T20 team. In the first two matches, Pakistan's batters dominated, with Farhan in form at the top and Maaz Sadaqat's 96 powering a record home total. In the final game, a below-par score was not enough against a Sri Lanka side that had been under pressure after two heavy defeats. Mendis's innings showed that the touring side's top order can still win matches when it gets going.
For Pakistan, a 2-1 series win at home is a solid result, and big crowds in Rawalpindi are a welcome sign for international cricket in the country. For Sri Lanka, the consolation win restores some confidence ahead of the Test matches that follow on the same tour.
Indian fans follow these teams closely, as both are regular opponents of India in Asian and world tournaments. Form in bilateral series like this one gives an early guide to how the two sides are shaping up for the next major T20 events, where India will meet them again.
| Match | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Before October 11 | Pakistan won |
| 2nd T20I | October 11, 2026 | Pakistan won by 82 runs |
| 3rd T20I | October 13, 2026 | Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets |
| Series | | Pakistan won 2-1 |
Impact
Short-term: Sri Lanka head into the Test leg of the tour with a morale-boosting win, while Pakistan will review a below-par batting effort in the final match.
Long-term: Farhan's consistency strengthens his place at the top of Pakistan's T20 batting order, and the record crowd supports the case for more international cricket in Rawalpindi.
Who is affected: Players and fans of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, selectors of both teams, and the Pakistan Cricket Board as host.
Key Takeaway
Kusal Mendis's unbeaten 87 gave Sri Lanka a consolation eight-wicket win in Rawalpindi, but Pakistan sealed the T20I series 2-1, with Sahibzada Farhan the standout batter.
Questions and Answers
Who won the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I series in October 2026?
Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1. Sri Lanka won the final match by eight wickets on October 13, 2026.
Who was the player of the series?
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 238 runs in three matches, including 76 in the final game.
How did Sri Lanka win the third T20I?
After restricting Pakistan to 168 for 8, with Dasun Shanaka taking 3 for 21, Sri Lanka chased 169 with 17 balls left as Kusal Mendis scored an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls.
What was notable about the second match?
Pakistan scored 215 for 3, their highest T20I total at home, and won by 82 runs, with Maaz Sadaqat making 96 off 51 balls in front of a record Rawalpindi crowd.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
